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this page Newsletters - Violence and the Family
Malawi - Some ways forward
TAKAO micro-credit project
T.A.K.A.O is an abbreviation for “Thandizani Amayi Kuti Adzithandize Okha” Literally translated, this means “help the women to help themselves”.
The idea of the project came when seeing, over several years, how women were suffering economically. I felt the need to awaken and sensitise my fellow women to participate in family economics as opposed to staying idle – just relying on the husband to provide all economic sustainability. Hence they end up in difficult situations when their husbands leave them.
“A woman is a man’s helper and not a parasite.”
TAKAO micro-credit project was aimed at empowering Christian and non- Christian women economically in order for them to take a role in supporting their husbands in running the family’s economic affairs. Initially the project started with five women, including myself, sewing babies’ and children’s clothing. Later on, we agreed that each member has to make a contribution of twenty malawi kwacha (20 pence) per month.
After collecting the contributions, we could lend out the money to an individual member to start a small business (mainly selling vegetables) which in turn could return the borrowed money to the group with a small interest for another member to benefit. As part of our fund-raising, some of us would go to gather river sand used in building houses to sell to local building contractors. We were also doing Bible study and carried out discussions on health issues, food security and home improvement.
The group soon began to expand. By the grace of God, and with the help of some Church leaders, we were introduced to some donors who gave assistance. Now the group has 250 members. Most members are engaged in the business of buying and selling vegetables, rice, maize, beans, second-hand clothes. We also constructed some locally produced ovens, which are used in baking scones. Some members make briquettes from recycled paper as an alternative to firewood. Others are looking after orphans and rearing goats to provide milk for them.
Since the project started, we have seen some improvement in the welfare of most members, as some are managing to pay school fees for their children and assisting their husband in running the affairs of the family. Our government, through the Ministry of Gender and Community Services, invited us to display our activities at our country’s Independence Day celebrations. This stimulated the morale of our members. If funds permit us, we are planning to establish a Training Centre where we could train women and children in different kind of skills.
I finally encourage my fellow women and women leaders not to sit idle. They should come together, have the courage to think very hard and start small activities themselves. Always start small, but with patience and hope, God shall provide.
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